CHANGING PATTERNS IN ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY ATTENDERS

Objective-To investigate demographic changes in attenders at an accide nt and emergency (A&E) department. Methods-Patients attending Leeds Ge neral Infirmary A&E department in 1990 were compared with those attend ing in 1993 and 1994. Internal quality control suggested that 99% of p atients were correctly registered for details of method of arrival, ag e, and departure (admission/discharge). Results-By 1994 there had been a 6.9% increase in total numbers, including a disproportionate rise i n elderly patient attendances. The overall number of patients admitted increased, as did the proportion of those attending the A&E departmen t. There was a 28% increase in number of patients arriving by ambulanc e between 1990 and 1993, and this rose to 32% in 1994. Conclusions-The increasing number of new patients, especially elderly people, has imp lications for future planning of A&E departments. The expected demogra phic rise in the elderly population means that A&E departments must ex pect to receive more elderly patients. Our figures, if generally appli cable, suggest that this is already occurring. Staffing requirements a nd the physical space necessary to care for these extra patients needs to take these figures into account. These factors are of relevance to both purchasers and providers.